Boyekoli Ebale Congo 2010

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On 26 April 2010 a team made up of 67 Belgian, Congolese and international scientists set off on an expedition along the Congo River. Zoologists, botanists, geologists, fresh water biologists, ecologists, cartographers, archaeologists, doctors and linguists were on their way to study biodiversity and development issues along the river in the forests of the Congo basin. Their goal was to examine all the accessible habitats in and around the river, to make ecological measurements of the river water and to put together a biological collection of all the different types of animals and plants. The specimens gathered were to be conserved in both Kisangani and Belgium.

The expedition took place as part of the International Year of Biodiversity. Its goal was to increase knowledge of biodiversity in DR Congo and to strengthen the relevant scientific capacity of the Congolese.  

© Kris Pannecoucke

SCIENTIFIC AIM OF THE EXPEDITION

The idea behind this expedition was very far-reaching: to take a look at biodiversity in a much broader context and not just from a biological point of view. The composition of a new specimen collection (plants and animals) was on the agenda, but there were also linguists in tow, there to carry out research into vocabulary in relation to biodiversity. A group of archaeologists looking for the earliest signs of human life in the region were involved in the expedition too. Phenomenons relating to climate change were to be studied by means of a weather station that continually registered meteorological data and different water parameters would be measured to estimate any potential pollution and its impact on the local fauna and flora. Cartographers would be responsible for the satellite images which gave the scientists a clearer overview of the current situation in the forest. The cartographers also had the idea of drawing up new navigation charts of the Congo River as the maps they had been using were over 50 years old and no longer entirely reliable!

CLOSELY FOLLOWED BY THE MEDIA

From the very beginning VRT  was a partner in the project and was heavily involved in the logistic organisation of the expedition. Various other forms of media also got involved in the project. Between 25 April and 16 May 2010 you could follow the expedition in the Dutch-speaking press by means of the VRT Journaal, a longer documentary of 30 minutes on Koppen XL, via the Eén website and on the radio. In De Standaard the expedition was reported upon daily. The magazine EOS also published a number of longer articles.
As far as the French-speaking press was concerned the RTBF broadcast a number of radio reports and viewers could follow the expedition on television via items in the news and a special programme aired on Jardin Extraordinaire. A scientific journalist from Le Soir was also involved in the project and a freelance photographer reproduced images from the expedition in a variety of international newspapers.

THE ORGANISATION

This expedition was a joint undertaking of a number of Belgian and Congolese scientific institutions. It was organised by a consortium made up of the Royal Museum for Central Africa (coordinator), the University of Kisangani, the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences and the National Botanic Garden of Belgium with the financial support of the Belgian Development Cooperation, the Belgian Science Policy and the National Lottery. The expedition was organised to fit in with the commemoration of 50 years of independence in the DR Congo.